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Through “Choose Europe to Start and Scale,” the EU launches a forward-looking plan to become the world’s most fertile ground for innovation, entrepreneurship, and tech-driven growth.
On Wednesday, May 28, the European Commission introduced a comprehensive new blueprint designed to position the European Union as the premier destination for launching and expanding innovative businesses. Dubbed “Choose Europe to Start and Scale,” the strategy aims to overhaul the continent’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and attract the brightest minds and boldest ideas from around the globe.
This initiative builds on President Ursula von der Leyen’s wider “Choose Europe” campaign, originally developed to strengthen the EU’s competitive edge and bring in top-tier talent through a science-driven and innovation-focused approach.
Startups and scaleups—key engines of economic modernization—play a critical role in driving digital transformation, fostering sustainable development, and creating high-quality employment. Yet despite a vibrant research base and entrepreneurial energy, too many European ventures still hit roadblocks in scaling beyond national boundaries or turning concepts into market-ready solutions.
The new EU plan takes aim at these bottlenecks, pledging targeted action across five key areas to support young companies from launch to maturity.
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Building a Startup-Friendly Landscape
At the heart of the plan is the drive to simplify doing business across borders. The Commission proposes a new, harmonized 28th regulatory framework to eliminate fragmentation in the internal market. The initiative seeks to streamline insolvency procedures, clarify labor and tax rules, and reduce the stigma of failure. A European enterprise identity and a unified digital interface will make cross-border bureaucracy smoother. Meanwhile, the forthcoming Innovation Deal legislation will back regulatory sandboxes, giving startups a safe space to experiment with cutting-edge technologies under real conditions.
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Expanding Access to Capital
A thriving innovation scene needs robust financial support. Recognizing that funding gaps persist, particularly for companies developing deep tech solutions, the Commission plans to bolster EU-wide investment capacity. This includes an expanded European Innovation Council, the creation of a dedicated Scaleup Europe Fund, and a proposed European Innovation Investment Charter—a pact to encourage large institutional players to back venture capital funds and growth-stage firms. These efforts complement the broader Savings and Investment Union, which seeks to unlock EU citizen savings for innovation-led growth.
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Accelerating Market Entry
Turning prototypes into commercial successes remains a hurdle for many. To bridge this gap, the Lab to Unicorn program will link university R&D hubs with entrepreneurial networks, enabling faster tech transfer and startup formation. The EU also aims to introduce common guidelines for licensing deals, revenue sharing, and equity stakes in academic spin-offs. These measures will support smoother intellectual property management and help research-based ventures go to market more quickly and efficiently.
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Attracting Global Talent and Keeping It
The new plan puts talent at center stage. With the Blue Carpet Initiative, the EU aims to make it easier for highly skilled individuals and startup founders to live and work across borders. Key measures include reforming stock option taxation to make employee incentives more attractive and expanding access to the EU Blue Card for tech professionals. The Commission will also support entrepreneurial education programs and encourage member states to fast-track visa and work permits for non-EU founders.
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Unlocking Infrastructure and Innovation Networks
To speed up commercialization and reduce development timelines, the EU proposes a common Startup Access Charter to standardize how startups use public and private research infrastructures. This move is intended to provide young firms with faster, fairer, and clearer access to the tools and facilities they need to grow.
Next Steps and Progress Review
The rollout of the strategy will be carefully monitored, with measurable indicators set to track progress. A full implementation report will be published by the end of 2027, offering transparency and guiding further policy adjustments as needed.
In launching “Choose Europe to Start and Scale,” the EU is making a strong play to compete with innovation powerhouses like the U.S. and Asia. If its goals are met, the strategy could reshape Europe’s startup landscape and secure its place at the forefront of the global tech economy.
Alessandro Fiorentino